Gum or periodontal disease is a silent disease. In the early stages there may be no symptoms or discomfort. But when in matters of your health, what you don’t know can hurt you. By the time the effects of periodontal disease become evident the progression of the disease may be quite advanced.

Periodontal disease is caused when bacteria on your teeth create an infection. The gums become inflamed and swollen and pockets form between the teeth and gums. Plaque in these pockets is difficult to remove through brushing and flossing. Periodontal disease can range from mild and correctable on up to advanced stages requiring oral surgical intervention.

Scientists and physicians now link gum disease with heart disease, low birth weight babies, stroke, and infection being spread to other parts of the body. Our dentists and hygienists have advanced training in the early detection of gum disease thus reducing the susceptibility to these conditions.

Gingivitis

This is an early, mild stage. The gums become inflamed and spaces, or pockets, develop between the tooth and gum. There may be some bleeding at these sites when they are brushed, flossed or probed. At this early stage the progression of disease can often be reversed by cleaning, brushing and flossing of teeth.

Periodontitis

This is a more serious stage of the disease. The pockets become deeper and even more difficult to clean as the bacteria continue to multiply. At this point the disease attacks not only the gums but the underlying bone. As bone loss around a tooth occurs the teeth may begin to loosen.

Advanced Periodontitis

The pockets become even deeper and larger and may extend down to the roots. The bone loss advances to the point where tooth loss may become a possibility. The teeth may become very sensitive to heat and cold or the pressure of brushing.

Treatment

The treatment of periodontal disease will depend on how far the disease has progressed. In milder cases that are caught early a cleaning followed by more diligent oral hygiene may reverse the disease. In more advanced cases there is a whole range of surgical and non-surgical treatments depending on the particulars of a patient's case.

Prevention
As always, the best treatment is prevention. Regular brushing, flossing and cleanings can greatly reduce your chances of periodontal disease. Regular checkups can insure that any problems are caught early.

Some risk factors for periodontal disease:

• Smoking
• Poor oral hygiene
• Diabetes
• Bite problems, teeth grinding
• Hormone changes such as pregnancy
• Weakened immune system
• Family history
• Certain medications (ask your dentist)